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Other Items of Interest

In this section:

Statistical Summaries of Environmental Assessments
Contacts for Further Information

Statistical Summaries of Environmental Assessments

The table below provides a statistical summary of environmental assessments conducted by responsible and regulated authorities. It outlines the total number of projects that underwent an environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act during the 2007-2008 reporting period.

Fiscal Year 2007-2008			EA Decisions Taken this Fiscal Year
EA Type	Ongoing on April 1, 2007	Initiated this fiscal year	Not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects	Likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects	Terminated
Screening	2,962	3,916	3,570	3	331
Class Screening	n/a	n/a	2,475	n/a	n/a
Comprehensive Study	29	13	8	0	1
Review Panel	13	4	3	2	0
Panel Substitution	1*	0	1	0	0

*The substituted panel was conducted as a pilot project and is currently being evaluated. The results of the evaluation are expected to be made available in 2008.

Note: In addition, within the 2007-2008 reporting period, a total of 2,867 screenings were completed by the Business Development Bank of Canada and Farm Credit Canada. Since June 11, 2006, these Crown corporations are required to conduct environmental assessments of their projects, subject to the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, but with a modified process with respect to reporting on the Registry Internet site.

Screenings

A screening is the most common type of environmental assessment. It is a systematic approach to identifying and documenting the environmental effects of a proposed project and determining the need to eliminate or minimize (mitigate) the adverse effects, to modify the project plan or to recommend further assessment through mediation or an assessment by a review panel.

Screenings are used to assess a wide range of projects. Screenings will vary in time, length and depth of analysis, depending on the circumstances of the proposed project, the existing environment and the likely environmental effects. Some screenings may require only a brief analysis of the available information and a brief report while others may need new background studies and will be more thorough and rigorous.

The responsible authority must ensure that the screening of the project is carried out and must prepare or ensure the preparation of a report which summarizes the findings of the screening.

For a summary of environmental assessments undertaken by each responsible or regulated authority, consult the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca.

Class Screenings

A class screening is a special type of screening that can streamline the environmental assessment process for certain types of projects, while ensuring high-quality assessments.

There are two types of federal class screenings:

Model class screenings — Individual, location-specific reports are produced, based on a standard report for a defined class.
Replacement class screenings — One report can be used for all future projects within a defined class.

Class screenings are ideal for a clear, well-defined class of recurring projects that are known to be unlikely to cause significant adverse environmental effects when appropriate design standards and proven mitigation measures are applied.

Class screenings enhance the integrity of environmental assessments. Each class screening undergoes a rigorous process of technical review and a mandatory public consultation period before the Agency's President can formally declare it for use as a model or replacement class screening.

Class screenings ensure the consistent consideration of environmental effects and the application of proven mitigation measures for a class of projects. They reduce administrative requirements, such as the number of entries in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry, which simplifies the environmental assessment process. Class screenings allow federal departments to deal with a large number of assessments in a single investment, saving time and money over the long term. They also improve coordination between the Agency, federal departments and other levels of government.

To support the development of class screenings, the Agency provides technical and procedural environmental assessment advice, coordinates the participation of federal/provincial departments in the process, and administers the public consultation process.

Comprehensive Studies

Certain projects, by their very nature and size, may have the potential to cause significant adverse environmental effects. These types of projects have been identified and listed in the Comprehensive Study List Regulations.

As a result of revisions to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, proclaimed through Bill C-9 on October 30, 2003, the responsible authority must consult the public on its proposed approach and recommend to the Minister of the Environment whether the project should continue by means of a comprehensive study environmental assessment or be referred to a mediator or a review panel. At the end of the comprehensive study process, the Minister is required to issue a decision statement as to whether or not the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

The Agency's role in the comprehensive study process is to provide advice to responsible authorities, project proponents and the public; ensure that the comprehensive study report complies with the requirements of the Act; manage the public comment period; and provide advice to the Minister of the Environment in support of the Minister's track decision on the environmental assessment and the determination of potential adverse environmental effects. Public participation is facilitated by the Participant Funding Program, which provides financial assistance to eligible individuals and public organizations with legitimate interests in the project.

In 2007-2008, the Minister concluded that the comprehensive studies described below were not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects and referred them back to the responsible authority. Further information on these environmental assessments is available on the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca.

Review Panels

Distinguished by extensive public participation, review panels and joint review panels with other jurisdictions are the most visible and public type of environmental assessment. Review panels are independent of government. Its members are appointed by the Minister of the Environment.

The review panel conducts its assessment in an open and public manner, with individuals and groups presenting information and views through public comment and public hearings. Public participation is facilitated by the Participant Funding Program, which provides financial assistance to eligible individuals and public organizations with legitimate interests in the project.

At the completion of the review process, the review panel's report, including conclusions and recommendations, is submitted to the Minister of the Environment. The recommendations are advisory, and the responsible authority, with the approval of the Governor in Council, considers and responds publicly to all recommendations.

The Agency's primary roles in a review panel process are to provide advice and coordination to federal expert authorities and responsible authorities; maintain the public registry; manage the review process and provide technical and administrative support to the review panel; administer the Participant Funding Program; and design and implement a public information program with the review panel.

During this reporting period, the Agency was actively involved in providing support and advice relating to the assessment by review panel of the following projects. Consult the Agency's website at www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca to obtain additional information regarding these environmental assessments.

Contacts for Further Information

Director of Communications

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

160 Elgin Street, 22^nd Floor

Ottawa, ON K1A 0H3

Tel: 613-957-0712

Fax: 613-957-0946

E-mail: info@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's website

www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca